Truck Accident Lawyer

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Why Do You Need A Truck Accident Lawyer?

If you have been injured in an accident with a commercial vehicle, it's crucial to have an experienced trucking attorney on your side. The trucking industry is governed by a unique set of laws and regulations, making accident lawsuits complex. To get the full compensation for your accident injuries, trust The Mike Hostilo Law Firm. We're here to fight for you – and we have the record of results to prove it! 

Here are some compelling reasons to contact a trucking attorney after your accident:

SPEAK WITH MULTIPLE INSURANCE COMPANIES

Each party involved in your trucking crash will likely be represented by a different insurance company. Dealing with one insurance company is bad enough. Now imagine facing tedious negotiations with insurers representing the trucker, the trucking company, the manufacturer, the cargo owner, etc. 

While never a welcome task, these conversations come at a time when you should be focused on your recovery. Let your truck accident lawyer handle the frequent communications with the insurance companies instead. 

TRUCKING ACCIDENTS HAVE COMPLICATED LAWS

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) oversees trucks and other commercial carriers. Its complex regulations  will likely factor heavily in your legal claim, used to prove negligence – and therefore, liability.

Some of the most common federal regulations that come into play include:

• Hours of service (how long truckers can drive without resting)
• Driver qualifications (standards for licenses and physical fitness)
• Vehicle inspection, repair, and routine maintenance
• Required vehicle parts and accessories
• Insurance requirements
• Record/log preservation 
• Hazardous material transport guidelines

A qualified truck accident lawyer knows FMCSA regulations inside and out, and will use this knowledge to build your case.

MANAGE DEATH AT SCENE TRUCK ACCIDENT

Truck accidents often result in serious or catastrophic injury – and in the worst case scenario, death. The high incidence of fatalities in accidents involving commercial trucks makes it even more important to have trusted legal guidance. 

Damages in wrongful death cases are often significant to compensate for the enormous loss experienced by surviving family members. Insurance companies, however, remain focused on their bottom line. Despite the heartache and hardship facing the deceased's family, the insurance company will attempt to pay out as little as possible. With this in mind, be sure to contact a trucking attorney as soon as possible.

ADDRESSING MULTIPLE VICTIMS IN TRUCKING ACCIDENT

Truck accident lawsuits involving multiple victims add even more complexity. For instance, a multi-car pileup on a busy highway may leave many crash victims in its wake. While all the injuries are the result of the same wreck, the legal action pursued by the other crash victims does not affect your case. In order to recover the compensation you're entitled to, you will need to pursue your own accident claim. Your trusted truck accident attorney can help!

INVESTIGATE SCENE OF TRUCKING ACCIDENT

The location of your trucking crash may impact your accident lawsuit. Consider the following:

• If the accident occurs in a construction zone, the construction company may be considered partly liable. It is their responsibility to modify the intersections/sections of road where work is being performed – but negligence often plays a role.
• If the accident occurs in a school zone, it is the school district's job to implement reduced speed limits and warning signals. If you are involved in an accident or your child is injured by a commercial truck while crossing the street, you may be eligible for compensation paid by the school district.

GATHER INFORMATION WITH ACCIDENT REPORT

After a truck crash, the police will typically be the first to arrive. The officer will create a detailed accident report and, in some cases, make a preliminary conclusion about who caused the wreck. If you dispute the facts in your police report, speak with a trucking attorney immediately.

Your lawyer will investigate, searching for evidence that is not consistent with the official report. If such evidence is found, they will work with the police officer to correct the report. Request a copy of the accident report and review it as soon as possible to give your trucking accident lawyer time to resolve any discrepancies.

 HANDLE COMPLEX NEGOTIATIONS 

If there are multiple parties responsible for causing the truck crash, you will need to fight each of them for the compensation you deserve. This is no easy feat! Instead of putting your compensation at risk, trust a truck accident lawyer to handle your case. Here at The Mike Hostilo Law Firm, our team will work diligently to maximize the value of your case.

GUIDE YOU THROUGH YOUR ACCIDENT LAWSUIT 

Keep in mind that the legal process can be time-consuming and overwhelming. Handling your own accident lawsuit can be exhausting, especially when you are healing from the physical and emotional trauma of your truck crash. Trust The Mike Hostilo Law Firm to bear the burden and handle your entire case from start to settlement. We're always here to help, so don't hesitate to ask!

Who’s at Fault in a Truck Accident? 

One of the many complexities of a truck accident case is that there can be many different parties involved or at fault, besides the drivers and their insurance companies.

With truck accidents, responsible parties may include the following:

• The truck driver: Distracted driving, fatigue, impaired driving (drugs or alcohol), and speeding are all common causes of truck accidents. Each constitutes negligence, making the truck driver liable for your accident injuries.
• The trucking company: Trucking companies are responsible for the actions of their employees – plain and simple. Inadequate pre-employment screening, insufficient training, and violations of state and federal trucking rules prove that the trucking company acted negligently and should be held accountable.
• The manufacturer of the truck and its parts: Semi trucks are complex vehicles. The companies that make them can be held liable if a dangerous defect puts other drivers at risk.
• The shipping company: Third-party companies are typically responsible for loading commercial trucks. Errors, such as the failure to secure the load properly, can cause the truck to crash.
• The mechanic or maintenance company: The employee or business responsible for maintaining the rig and its parts may be held accountable if a mechanical failure resulted in a truck crash.

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, our personal injury law firm will do everything in our power to get you the settlement you deserve from the party at fault. 

Ask Truck Accident Lawyer: What To Know When You Are In A Truck Accident.

After a truck accident, these 4 steps are crucial:

STEP #1: Contact 911 immediately after the trucking crash.

STEP #2: Get the name, address, and insurance provider of the parties involved in the trucking crash.

STEP #3: Document the scene of the trucking crash with photos and try to retrieve contact information from witnesses

STEP #4: Before you make a statement to the insurance company about the trucking crash, be sure to consult your trucking attorney first. 

With so many variables and unique considerations in truck accident cases, it’s important to have a qualified trucking accident lawyer on your side with the right processes, procedures, and experience to fight for your claim.

Common Trucking Accident Injuries

Unsurprisingly, there are critical injuries that can happen when dealing with the impact of a 18 wheeler or commercial truck and smaller vehicle. Some serious injuries that can result from a truck accident including:

• Burn injuries
• Brain injuries
• Bone fractures
• Loss of vision or blindness
• Spinal cord injury
• Amputation of limbs
• Fatality due to intense injury

Common Factors Causing Trucking Accidents 

Not all trucking crashes are due solely on the driver. There are several factors that can cause an unfortunate accident with a large truck and other vehicles. According to research from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) there are ten main factors involved in all truck accidents around the country:

• Speed
• Illegal drug use
• Traffic congestion or existing accidents
• Brake issues
• Problems with the roadway
• Driver unfamiliarity
• Sudden, unexpected stops
• Truck driver fatigue
• OTC medications
• Inadequate surveillance or monitoring tools

What Type of Damages Can I Be Compensated For After A Truck Accident Lawsuit?

After your truck crash, the insurance companies will try to settle as quickly as possible. But because they’re focused on their bottom line, accepting their initial settlement may not be in your best interest. 

Insurance companies often offer accident injury victims far less than they are truly entitled to. A skilled trucking accident lawyer knows what a good settlement looks like, and they’ll work to recover it on your behalf.

In unfortunate cases of death due to a truck crash, the situation becomes even more dire. While no amount of compensation can replace a life, it is important that the settlement offered reflects the seriousness of your loss. A fair settlement can also help families feel that the guilty parties are being held accountable. 

For minor or major trucking accident, your truck accident lawyer will fight to get you proper compensation for the following:

• Medical bills
• Lost income
• Loss of earning capacity
• Property damage
• Out-of-pocket expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of society, consortium, and parental guidance
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Punitive damages

Injured by a Bus? You Need a Trusted Bus Accident Lawyer to Help You!

Unfortunately, innocent bystanders are injured when traveling by bus and public transportation. Our personal injury law firm can manage your accident claim if you or a loved one is injured by a bus. Our bus accident lawyers offer skilled legal advice and legal representation to handle your case. 

Mike Hostilo Law Firm offers expert bus accident lawyers to manage your claim from beginning to end. No need to stress, you can focus on your recovery and we will manage your accident claim.

So if you get hit by a bus or are injured while riding a bus, our bus accident lawyers are here to assist you. 

Truck Accident Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a truck accident lawyer after a minor auto accident? 

Due to trucks’ size and weight, collisions often result in more severe injuries and extensive vehicle damage – and very complicated cases. That is why it is crucial to seek trusted legal advice from an experienced trucking attorney. 

How much does a good truck accident lawyer cost?

At Mike Hostilo Law Firm, our trucking attorneys are paid on a contingency basis – not by an hourly fee. Simply put, you only have to pay if and when you obtain compensation for your accident injuries. That’s right, you pay nothing until you receive the money you deserve!

How long will it take to settle my auto claim after a truck accident?

The amount of time to reach a settlement varies greatly from one auto claim to the next. Because trucking accidents tend to be more complex than car wrecks, getting the compensation you are entitled to may take longer.

After my accident with a commercial truck, who pays my medical bills? 

There are often many parties involved, making it tricky to determine who is liable for causing the trucking accident. Some potential options include the trucking company, the manufacturer, the driver, and more.

After my accident with a commercial truck, how do I pay for car repairs?

If the truck driver is responsible for causing the accident, they – or the company that employs them – must be held accountable. In most cases of truck driver negligence, their insurance company will pay for your vehicle repairs and other damages.

How does the insurance company determine who is at fault after an auto accident? 

Determining fault can be difficult, and requires you to prove that the truck driver or trucking company broke the law – which then led to the accident. While the insurance company works to determine fault, your trucking attorney will launch an investigation of their own. They will likely review police reports, black box data, trucking logs, accident reconstructions and more.

How much is my trucking accident claim worth? 

Accidents involving large commercial trucks are typically much more severe than car crashes. While there is no specific value assigned to trucking accident claims, these factors influence the amount of compensation you may receive:

• Severity of injuries
• Property damage
• Impact on victim’s earning potential or ability to return to work
• Extent of pain and suffering 

Are truck drivers fired after being found at fault for a trucking accident?

In most cases, a negligent truck driver will be fired if the accident was mostly their fault and if major damages were incurred. 

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